Friday 10 February 2012

MRCOG part 2 THEORY exam preparation

MRCOG part 2 exam JUST tests if the candidate is apt to
be a registrar and a future (potential) Consultant in UK.It is of two parts as we know, Theory & Oral assessment. The theory exam consists of
( i) MCQs- tests the basical theory knowledge
( ii) Essays- test the management of patient or scenario at registrar level (neither SHO level nor Consultant level)
( iii) EMQs - test your rationale for management
T he OSCE consists of 12 stations , testing your skills of managing a clinic in UK and communication skills as well. The exam is not a superspeciality exam. it is only a Postraduate exam (like our M.D) to assess the progress in a career to Consultancy in UK.(my opinion), allowing the Trainee to progress to ST5 (in a 7 year training).
The important websites, i would recommend, arehttp://www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health
 for UK type of patient oriented health information.

The must essential reading materials are: (a) Reviews from Online TOG (The Obstetrician & Gyanecologist -RCOG release) from 1999 till date.(The old TOG had PACE artilcles which were useful). l (b) RCOG Guidelines , NICE & SIGn guidelines related to ObsGyn (links are availble from Rcog site )
 ‎(c) BJOG EDITORIALS & Reviews (first few pages in ecah issue) for last three years. (d) Recent advances in OBs & Gyn - last four issues. (e) Progress in O&G ((studd) - last two issues.
MCQs:
It is not essential to read textbooks as in Indian postgraduate exams.
MCQs in MRCOG part 2 are based on only certain topics , not on all topics in Obs& Gyn Books.So, going through the MCQ books first will give an idea of which topics to read. For example, STI, contraception, obesity,HRT are regular questions in MRCOG.
 Reading selected books like (a) Obstetrics and Gynaecology: An evidence-based text for MRCOG by David M Luesley,Philip N Baker (b) Obstetric Medicine by Nelson Piercy will definitely help. But , the books need to be used while reading MCQs as reference.
Essays:
The essays for last few years covered in the websites like
www.busyspr.com
 are sufficient to know how to handle essays. There are hundreds of essays in each topic in these sites. My advice would be to write as many essays as possible and get corrected by someone who has done the exam or throguh these sites, where they allow you to upload your essays. Prepare essays for yourself for most topics from guidelines (points) from RCOG & NICE & TOG.

The questions for Essays are usually from the previous few issues of TOG. So, TOG reviews are a must-read before exam.

EMQs: There are two books recommended in the RCOG website.
http://www.rcog.org.uk/catalog/book/emqs-mrcog-part-2

EMQs are new to MRCOG exam.The choices in EMQs are rather thought-provoking -(eg: requesting necessary investigations costeffectively).

There is StratOG tutorials in RCOG website , which will help with theory exam. However, . it is quite expensive. But, for those who can afford, it is very good and helpful for exam preapration. (I didnt spend too much for this during my preparation as I found it expensive). My advice on this is : Get the tutorials for those topics which you find difficult to prepare or are weak. (example -fetal medicine, urogynaecology are good topics in stratog.)

Regarding books ' MRCOG & beyond series' as well, they are condensed materiall of the same guidelines. If you buy stratOG in any topic, I would suggest you NOT to buy beyond series in the same topic.

3 comments:

  1. Strat-OG as well as TOG online are now available free of cost to everyone who is subscribed to the trainees' register. You can register from India on paying 80 sterling pounds.

    I am finding this very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi.. I am preparing for appearing for mrcog 2 in march.. i wanted some information about Visa.. Please let me know what type of visa is needed andof we can apply for it before the theory result is out?

    Thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you I have found these websites helpful. I have also found exam lectures and questions at BeMRCOG.com an excellent resource for MRCOG part 2 preparation. The tutorials are prepared and presented in a clear and inviting manner . My best wishes to all the Doctors in their future endeavors.

    ReplyDelete

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